§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what information he has in relation to the 20 delegations of councillors, which the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State the hon. Member for Wiltshire, North (Mr. Needham) saw, concerning the discussion paper on elected representatives and the democratic process in Northern Ireland, as to whether any member of any of the delegations has taken part in any official or unofficial march, leading to outbreaks of violence or riotous behaviour;
(2) what information he has in relation to the 20 delegations of councillors, which the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State the hon. Member for Wiltshire, North (Mr. Needham) saw, concerning the discussion paper on elected representatives and the democratic process in Northern Ireland, as to whether any member of any of the delegations had appeared on a platform or marched in procession with others dressed in para-military uniform;
(3) what information he has, in relation to the 20 delegations of councillors which the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State the hon. Member for Wiltshire, North (Mr. Needham) saw, concerning the discussion paper on elected representatives and the democratic process in Northern Ireland, as to whether any member of any of the delegations had threatened, or implied their support of, the use of force by speaking or being present at a meeting of an organisation such as the Ulster Clubs, the Ulster Defence Association or the Provisional Sinn Fein, in each case listing the organisation;
(4) what information he has, in relation to the 20 delegations of councillors which the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State the hon. Member for Wiltshire, North (Mr. Needham) saw, concerning the discussion paper on elected representatives and the democratic process in Northern Ireland, as to whether any member of any of the delegations had participated in the organisation of the 1974 Ulster workers' stoppage or similar acts or had demonstrated outside the Maryfield headquarters of the Anglo-Irish secretariat.
§ Mr. Needham[holding answer 2 November 1987]: Information about the elected representatives of the constitutional political parties in Northern Ireland is not available in a form which would enable me to answer these questions. I would deprecate, however, any illegal or irresponsible behaviour by elected representatives from either end of the political spectrum.